Are you HARDWIRED to be HEALTHY?

Good Morning and welcome to Saturday!

Are you hardwired for health or do you have to work hard at it? There is a huge disparity between us all as to what we have to take care of when it comes to our own health, longevity and vitality. The one thing we do have in common however, is self sabotage - we all do it if we were going to be thoroughly honest about it. Whether we prioritize work duties over our basic needs, run late for appointments due to our own time handling, justify a food or beverage due to emotional recovery requirements, find some crazy scientific reason why healthy foods are non healthy for us - whatever the method of sabotage is for each of us, there is an underlying ceiling of limitations we set for ourselves that determine how long we stay off track and what we need to feel (signs and symptoms) before we have had enough and need to implement change.

Many conversations with patients this week in clinic have centered around what I call Intention Sabotage and how we can better follow the natural order of the body. As part of the laws of nature, there is a path of least resistance, and of course the path of total resistance. Common sense would say we will take the path of least resistance when choosing any path on offer - but rarely do we do that with our health. In this scenario the path of least resistance may not always be the easiest on to start with, but health is a dynamic long term state - and to view it in a single moment as static and 'so it is' - sets us up for failure when embarking on a new health program. Indeed - like any large project we embark on - our own health is a work in progress and should always be viewed as such complete with deviations, reset opportunities, new procedures and seasonal adaptations. In some cases, we also need to allow for 'throw off' adaptations too - this is part of natural law. When given the opportunity to do so - your body will 'throw off' old conditions and accumulations when embarking on a change of diet, movement and this is where the path of least resistance is best implemented. If we don't - we run the risk of blowing a circuit or two. Next thing you know - both baby and bath water and hard drive are out the window and you are at the mercy of your genetics.

Most of us 'fall off the wagon', 'go off track' and 'go back to square one' when it comes to eating well, exercising consistently, booking rest and relaxation session and so on. When I hear a patient admit this in my rooms, it reminds me that we all need permission to follow our 'human-ness' and that it is ok. I am also quick to prompt that as long as your 'low' this time round is 'higher than the low' last time - you are actually going higher in the big picture. You can simply map this on a graph with a curve graph over a year - just plot your ups and downs health wise based on how bad the signs and symptoms feel to you.

Here are a few ways to manage the lows and rewire the motherboard to get back on the wagon again and enjoy the next up curve:

1. Learn to recognize this is what is occurring - and give yourself a kind word or two that you will get back on track, it will happen, but to go easy for now - often we get 'sick' when we do our first detox, finally rest or take a break - its your body's way to say thanks for taking care of me!
2. Work out what you won't drop in your health program - for example - if you decide to go on a bender with your friends, prepare yourself beforehand with supportive nutrients and herbs and commit to drinking water between each drink.
3. If you decide to eat that piece of cake - because you haven't had anything for ages and its a special occasion - do so with complete commitment and joy - the chemistry you produce can be a lot more friendly to your body when it comes in contact with the sugar!
4. Should you notice your 'throw off' symptoms be too intense for this time round, know this is a sign you were holding onto a lot before you started, give yourself permission to slow it all down, allow your body to catch up and proceed again in a few days. Alternatively, do small frequent programs vs 2 or 3 big long ones through the year. It is often more achievable and more effective long term - less inflammatory to your body each time.
5. Understand your beliefs around health and check to see if any can be altered, improved, investigated for truth or myth and reset your system around how you view your body. You may have picked these up from a friend, family member or professional but may not fit with your changing body today anymore - be prepared to step into rhythm with your dynamic state of health.
6. Know how your body responds to health changes and do what you can to head those off at the pass if they are uncomfortable - this is helping the path of least resistance within the path of resistance to start with. Know your genetics and family history as well and more importantly how your lifestyle may contribute to this coming into play when setting you up for health issues.

Remember - as long as you know what your mental and emotional resistance is to implementing healthy changes - you can always manage the physical path of resistance and turn it into a river of flow in no time flat!

As a naturopath I believe that patients are looking for empathy, results oriented and achievable health advice as well as consideration for the family budget when it comes to supplement and remedy selection.Nicky Wood -Gold Coast Naturopath